ARTS

They call her “the lady with the big heart” because she sings for charity. Angella Katatumba, founder of the Angella Katatumba Development Foundation, composed, sang, and recorded the theme song for the Gulu Walk back when northern Uganda was just emerging from the 20-year Joseph Kony rebellion. She then did …

Lagos, Nigeria | AFP |  Nobel prize-winning author Wole Soyinka hit back Monday at critics from his native Nigeria, denouncing the “slugs, barbarians and imbeciles” who derided him for tearing up his US residency card after Donald Trump’s election win. “I don’t want people we fought for to have the …

When astronauts return from space, many of them report that their perspective of life on earth has been transformed for the better. All differences, borders and barriers seem less important when you’ve seen the planet from 250 miles (400 km) above the surface, they say. For this reason, BBC features …

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Cuba’s sensual rumba dance and Belgium’s thriving beer culture brought a new exuberance to UNESCO’s prestigious list of “intangible” heritage on Wednesday. The UN body gave the nod to the rumba, which it said evokes “grace, sensuality and joy”, while it said “making and …

Paris, France | AFP |  Ugandan traditional music, which is dying out partly because it requires materials from endangered species, has been placed on UNESCO’s protected “Intangible Cultural Heritage” list, along with Portuguese pottery and Ukrainian Cossack songs. A UNESCO world heritage committee, meeting in Addis Ababa Tuesday, decided to …

  Breaking the norm, symbolism, and escapism Critics are always praising works of art for being urgent, challenging, disturbing, and provocative and so forth. But is that what people actually want from the art? It is well known that most (visual) art produced nowadays exists almost entirely to allow the …

Winners Seven 2 Smoke – Alex Heskey 1 on 1 – Naganzwa Erick Kids battle (below 15yrs) – Ndawula Ronald Bgirl Battle – Nambalirwa Joan Popping – Walter Ruva 3 on 3 – Hit the beat crew (Mukalazi Moses, Egesa Erick and Faisal Ddamba). Another great crowd and enthusiastic performances …

Rwanda abstract painter showcases social themes The first cut, as it is said, is the deepest. And Benjamin Rusagara, a youthful visual resident artist at Ivuka Arts Center recalls his first contact with art-which later defined his career path, writes Joseph Ondiek, “The bell for lunch break rung and there …

A national art treasure goes unnoticed Uganda’s commemoration of 50 years of Independence saw the grandest celebration of national pride. The media hype, national gatherings in all districts, well-crafted speeches by government officials, branding the city with that famous Uganda@50 logo, even a special currency designed for the event. The …

New York, United States | AFP |  There’s no doubt which side the fashion world supported during the US presidential campaign. For years, First Lady Michelle Obama and Democrats’ vanquished presidential candidate Hillary Clinton have been favorites with fashion designers who dressed them in clothes aimed at evoking their values. …